After "ringing" for half a minute and receiving no response, Erik cancelled his call. She must be in surgery. Gods, sometimes I don't know if I should hate or love her devotion to the job... he giggled to himself. He couldn't be sure, but he did hear the news of the Republic's latest activity in Tau 44, so there was a good chance plenty of pilots needed medical help. He sipped the last of his tea and, with one last look at the furious waves outside the dome, he went on his way to Robotics HQ.
The rest of his day went about smoothly, with a few check-ups in the logistics and agro-tech departments, after which Erik returned home. The second he entered through the door, Peter and Benjen both jumped from the sofa in the other room and came to greet him. Ever since Benjen first became friends with Peter, Erik somehow saw him as a brother for Peter, but now... he felt he truly gained another son, another future man to - hopefully - carry the Corvin name. He looked at the glee in their eyes and smiled broadly, then caressed both of them on the head and walked toward the kitchen. "Alright, boys, Doreen's probably going to be home late, so I'll start getting dinner ready. How about you come help me... and we can talk some more about that plan we spoke of, eh?"
The boys giggled and nodded, then followed him in the kitchen.
Later the same day, Erik received Doreen's transmission. Being already close to midnight, the boys were fast asleep and Erik himself felt a bit tired, but he figured he'd just tinker about in his study for one more hour until she gets home... He wanted to ask her something and - even though they might both be weary - didn't want to wait until morning.